ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 by ensuring at least a spot in the NL wild-card game, helped Wednesday night when a rookie St. Louis pinch-runner fell on his way to the plate in a 2-1 victory over the contending Cardinals.The Chicago Cubs also sealed a postseason berth because of the Cardinals' loss.Jhoulys Chacin pitched five shutout innings and Travis Shaw hit a pair of RBI singles as the Brewers completed a three-game sweep.The Cardinals missed a big chance to tie it in the eighth inning. Matt Carpenter walked and was lifted for pinch-runner Adolis Garcia. Jose Martinez then hit a slow roller to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who threw wildly to first. Garcia was waved home but fell halfway to the plate, allowing second baseman Hernan Perez to easily throw him out to end the inning.Chacin (15-8), who had lost his last three decisions, gave up one run on just one hit over five innings. Xavier Cedeno, Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader and Jeremy... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 by ensuring at least a spot in the NL wild-card game, helped Wednesday night when a rookie St. Louis pinch-runner fell on his way to the plate in a 2-1 victory over the contending Cardinals.Jhoulys Chacin pitched five shutout innings and Travis Shaw hit a pair of RBI singles as the Brewers completed a three-game sweep.The Brewers began the night a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central and 3 1/2 games ahead of Colorado for the top wild-card slot. St. Louis entered a half-game behind the Rockies for the final wild-card berth.The Cardinals missed a big chance to tie it in the eighth inning. Matt Carpenter walked and was lifted for pinch-runner Adolis Garcia. Jose Martinez then hit a slow roller to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who threw wildly to first. Garcia was waved home but fell halfway to the plate, allowing second baseman Hernan Perez to easily throw him out to end the inning.Chacin... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez had three of Boston's season-high 22 hits, including a three run homer that brought his major league-leading RBIs total to 127, and the Red Sox beat Baltimore 19-3 on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader that sent the Orioles to a franchise-record 112th loss.The once-proud Orioles (45-112) had lost more than 100 games just once since moving to Baltimore in 1954, in 1988 when they lost their first 21 games en route to a 55-107 record. The previous franchise record of 111 losses was set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns. Baltimore dropped 61 1/2 games behind Boston (107-51), which extended the franchise record wins it set Monday.In the makeup of Tuesday night's rainout, David Price (16-7) settled down after an early stumble in his final tuneup before the playoffs. He allowed three runs — all in the second inning — six hits and three walks, striking out six before leaving with a 10-3 lead after five.Price is expected to start Game 2 of the AL Division Series... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez has tied a modern-day major league record with eight straight strikeouts to begin a game on his way to setting the franchise record for most Ks in a season.Marquez matched a mark Wednesday against Philadelphia that was set by Houston lefty Jim Deshaies on Sept. 23, 1986, and equaled by New York Mets righty Jacob deGrom on Sept. 15, 2014.The major league record is held by Mickey Welch, who had nine on Aug. 28, 1884, for New York's team in the National League.Phillies pitcher Nick Pivetta broke the string with a slow roller as he reached on Marquez's throwing error.Marquez had 10 strikeouts through four innings to give him 220. He surpassed Ubaldo Jimenez's team record of 214 set in 2010.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — The Houston Astros moved their celebration from the team hotel to the clubhouse.The Astros marked their second straight AL West title by dousing one another with wine and beer and enjoying cigars after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays."We're getting used to this," infielder Alex Bregman said. "I like it."It was the second celebration of the day for the Astros, who clinched the division just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when Oakland lost at Seattle 10-8 in 11 innings.The Twitter account of the defending World Series champions posted videos of players, coaches and their partners jumping up and down in celebration inside a meeting room at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto."It was pretty unique," ace Justin Verlander said. "There's been some unique scenarios, but not like that one."Back inside the smoky, dripping clubhouse, the Astros enjoyed a party that was, in Verlander's words, "a little more traditional.""I hope we do this three more times," he said.Houston opens the AL Division... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez had three of Boston's season-high 22 hits, including a three run homer that brought his major league-leading RBIs total to 127, and the Red Sox beat Baltimore 19-3 on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader that sent the Orioles to a franchise-record 112th loss.The once-proud Orioles (45-112) had lost more than 100 games just once since moving to Baltimore in 1954, in 1988 when they lost their first 21 games en route to a 55-107 record. The previous franchise record of 111 losses was set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns. Baltimore dropped 61 1/2 games behind Boston (107-51), which extended the franchise record wins it set Monday.In the makeup of Tuesday night's rainout, David Price (16-7) settled down after an early stumble in his final tuneup before the playoffs. He allowed three runs — all in the second inning — six hits and three walks, striking out six before leaving with a 10-3 lead after five.Price is expected to start Game 2 of the AL Division Series... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Kris Bryant is out of the starting lineup with a bruised left wrist, a day after being hit by a pitch.Manager Joe Maddon says he's optimistic the injury won't linger. Chicago held a half-game lead over Milwaukee atop the NL Central going into Wednesday night's game against Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field.Bryant was hit in the wrist with a pitch by Pittsburgh's Chris Archer in the fourth inning Tuesday. The third baseman exited in the sixth after it became swollen"It's sore, like you would have anticipated," Maddon said. "But, he thought, the swelling wasn't as heavy as we anticipated."X-rays on the wrist were negative and the Cubs initially said Bryant would miss at least one game.The former NL MVP has had two stints on the disabled list this season because of left shoulder inflammation. The 26-year-old Bryant is batting .276 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs in 98 games.

NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson has a partially torn ligament in his left hand and it's unclear if he will be available in the postseason for the NL East champions.Swanson traveled from New York to Atlanta on Wednesday to get his wrist and hand examined by team doctors. He will undergo treatment while missing the rest of the regular season, which ends Sunday.The Braves said Swanson will be re-evaluated next week before they open the best-of-five NL Division Series on Oct. 4.Swanson exited Tuesday night's 7-3 win over the New York Mets for tests."He swung the bat and something didn't feel right," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "Which is why he'd alarmed me a little bit. He'd been feeling fine, hadn't been complaining about it.""A lot of times the player gets checked out and is reassured it's nothing really bad," Snitker said. "That relieves a lot of their worries also. But it's your hand. That's a big deal in this game. We'll just have to wait and see."Swanson... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez had three of Boston's season-high 22 hits, including a three run homer that brought his major league-leading RBIs total to 127, and the Red Sox beat Baltimore 19-3 on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader that sent the Orioles to a franchise-record 112th loss.The once-proud Orioles (45-112) had lost more than 100 games just once since moving to Baltimore in 1954, in 1988 when they lost their first 21 games en route to a 55-107 record. The previous franchise record of 111 losses was set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns. Baltimore dropped 61 1/2 games behind Boston (107-51), which extended the franchise record wins it set Monday.In the makeup of Tuesday night's rainout, David Price (16-7) settled down after an early stumble in his final tuneup before the playoffs. He allowed three runs — all in the second inning — six hits and three walks, striking out six before leaving with a 10-3 lead after five.Price is expected to start Game 2 of the AL Division Series... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius and center fielder Aaron Hicks could return from injuries during a regular season-ending series this weekend at Boston.Gregorius was cleared to resume baseball activities after a hand specialist examined his right wrist. Gregorius tore cartilage in the wrist during a head-first slide last weekend while scoring the run that clinched a postseason berth."Hopefully some point this weekend, that would be ideal," Yankees manager Aaron Boone of Gregorius' return. "Certainly since the first day, he's come in upbeat and optimistic, and that's been really good to see. We continue to get pretty good news each day, but I temper it until I know we're out of the woods."Gregorius hit in an indoor cage and took 41 grounders with throws to first base during a 10-minute session before Wednesday night's game at Tampa Bay."I don't think it was something too crazy to worry about," Gregorius said. "I want to be out there for the team. As soon... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — John Gibbons wasn't sure he had the energy to oversee a rebuild in Toronto, so he's moving on from his job as manager of the Blue Jays at the end of the season."We are going to have a new voice. We are going to have a new approach," general manager Ross Atkins said before Wednesday's home final against Houston.The 56-year-old Gibbons has one season left in a two-year extension he received in April 2017."I've been here a long time and I agree it's probably time for a change," Gibbons said. "We're rebuilding here, and actually I think I'm the perfect guy for a rebuild. But I don't know if I have the energy, necessarily."Outfielder Kevin Pillar, the longest-tenured Blue Jays player, stood at the back of a packed news conference to hear the announcement in person. Gibbons received a standing ovation when he brought the lineup card out to home plate before the game. He acknowledged the crowd with a wave and a tip of his cap.Atkins said Gibbons can decide whether to take a new... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Infielder Carlos Correa returned to Houston's lineup as the designated hitter, ending a six-game absence caused by a sore back.It's the same injury that cost the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year a month earlier this season.Correa, who batted third, struck out swinging in his first at bat Wednesday. He had been out since Sept. 18, when he went 0 for 3 in a victory over Seattle.Correa is batting .238 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 107 games. He is hitting .180 with no homers in September.Infielder Alex Bregman was held out of the starting lineup, one day after the Astros clinched their second straight AL West ttitle. It's Bregman's first day off since June 13 at Oakland.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 3½ hours before the start of what many expect to be his last game at Nationals Park as a member of the Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper stood at his locker and let his eyes linger on that familiar white jersey with the curly red "W'' on the front and his last name on the back.Then Harper, who can become a free agent at season's end, put on his full uniform, right down to the stirrups — the only player ready that far ahead of the Nationals' home finale against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday."It's definitely crazy walking in today and knowing this could be my last game at Nats Park in my white jersey. It's definitely something that you're not sure how you're going to react, and not sure what it's going to be like," said Harper, greeted by a standing ovation for his first at-bat, which ended with a flyout to left."I knew I wanted to get here and put the 'uni' on right away, and just cherish that moment, if it's going to be the last time or not," he said. "I can't... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander had never before been in a conference room to celebrate winning a division title.Verlander and the Astros clinched their second straight AL West championship just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when Seattle beat visiting Oakland 10-8 in 11 innings on pinch-hitter Chris Herrman's home run.The Twitter account of the defending World Series champions posted videos of players, coaches and their partners jumping up and down in celebration inside a meeting room at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto."It was pretty unique," Verlander said. "There's been some unique scenarios, but not like that one."Houston opens the AL Division Series at home on Oct. 5 against Central Division champion Cleveland. Infielder Alex Bregman said he was "super pumped" to repeat as division winners."We haven't had the smoothest of rides, a little adversity along the way, but we've pushed through it and we're playing good baseball at the right time," he said.Left-hander Dallas Keuchel was... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has offered advice and a free playoff ticket to an 8-year-old special needs girl who apparently was yelled at by another fan for loudly cheering at an Astros game.McCullers on Wednesday tweeted "Chloe, don't you EVER stop cheering" and offered her a ticket for an Oct. 5 playoff game.Chloe's mother, Monica Beaver, posted video from Sunday's 6-2 Astros win over the Angels that appears to show another fan chiding the girl for being too loud. Beaver says her daughter has been diagnosed with a mood disorder that affects her emotions. Chloe cried after being scolded.McCullers encouraged Chloe "to cheer us on, as LOUD as you can" during Game 1 and says he's honored to give her a ticket.

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 3½ hours before the start of what many expect to be his last game at Nationals Park as a member of the Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper stood at his locker and let his eyes linger on that familiar white jersey with the curly red "W'' on the front and his last name on the back.Then Harper, who can become a free agent at season's end, put on his full uniform, right down to the stirrups — the only player ready that far ahead of Wednesday's scheduled first pitch for the Nationals' home finale against the Miami Marlins."It's definitely crazy walking in today and knowing this could be my last game at Nats Park in my white jersey. It's definitely something that you're not sure how you're going to react, and not sure what it's going to be like," Harper said."I knew I wanted to get here and put the 'uni' on right away, and just cherish that moment, if it's going to be the last time or not," he said. "I can't really stand here and say it's going to be 'farewell' or anything... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper showed up early for what could be his final home game as a member of the Washington Nationals so he could put on his white uniform and "just cherish that moment."The National League's 2012 NL Rookie of the Year and 2015 MVP can become a free agent this offseason.He spoke wistfully Wednesday about the possibility of leaving the Nationals, the only major league club he's played for.He was drafted No. 1 overall by Washington at age 17 in 2010Said Harper, who turns 26 next month: "This is my home. This is my city."The Nationals, who failed to make the playoffs, wrap up their home schedule Wednesday against Miami, then close the season at Colorado.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays manager John Gibbons will not return next season.Toronto made the announcement before Wednesday's game against Houston. The 56-year-old has one season left in a two-year extension he received in April 2017.Gibbons is 791-787 in 11 seasons during two stints managing Toronto, his 1,578 games second only to Cito Gaston's 1,764. Gibbons also trails Gaston (913) in career wins with Toronto.Gibbons replaced Carlos Tosca in August 2004, was fired in June 2008 and returned ahead of the 2013 season.Two years later, the Blue Jays won the AL East and ended a 22-year postseason drought, buoyed by the addition of slugger Josh Donaldson. They lost the AL Championship Series in six games against Kansas City, which went on the win the World Series.A wild-card winner in 2016, the Blue Jays lost to Cleveland in a five-game championship series.In between his stints with the Blue Jays, Gibbons served three seasons as a bench coach with the Royals, working alongside managers Trey Hillman... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts stole his 30th base of the season in the second inning against Baltimore on Wednesday, making him the second player in franchise history with 30 homers and 30 steals in the same season.Betts singled in the Boston's five-run first inning and nearly got picked off, but was erased on a fielder's choice. He walked to lead off the second and stole second on the third pitch, then stood and acknowledged a cheer from the sparse crowd attending the matinee makeup of Tuesday night's rainout.Betts has 32 homers and entered the day leading the major leagues with a .343 batting average.Jacoby Ellsbury, who had 32 homers and 39 steals in 2011, is the only other member of Boston's 30-30 club.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has offered advice and a free playoff ticket to an 8-year-old special needs girl who apparently was yelled at by another fan for loudly cheering at an Astros game.McCullers on Wednesday tweeted "Chloe, don't you EVER stop cheering" and offered her a ticket for an Oct. 5 playoff game.Chloe's mother, Monica Beaver, posted video from Sunday's 6-2 Astros win over the Angels that appears to show another fan chiding the girl for being too loud. Beaver says her daughter has been diagnosed with a mood disorder that affects her emotions. Chloe cried after being scolded.McCullers encouraged Chloe "to cheer us on, as LOUD as you can" during Game 1 and he's honored to give her a ticket.